AscendR Leadership Program

ASCEND^R Leadership

Preparing faculty to lead defense-aligned research with insight, strategy, and impact.

The ASCEND^R Leadership program is a year-long faculty development experience designed to expand engagement with the U.S. defense enterprise. Through immersive site visits, strategic dialogue with Department of Defense (DOD) leaders, and collaborative learning, the program prepares faculty to lead research that is aligned with national security priorities and foster academic-defense partnerships.

Participation in ASCEND^R Leadership is a core component of the ASCEND^RResearch program. Faculty selected for ASCEND^R Research seed grants are expected to fully engage in this leadership experience as part of their commitment to advancing defense-aligned research and mentorship.

Program Features

Immersive Defense Engagement: Faculty explore the structure and mission of the DoD through operational site visits, strategic briefings, and direct interaction with military and innovation leaders.
Leadership Development: Faculty engage in sessions tailored to both academic and defense environments, building skills to lead interdisciplinary research teams and manage DoD-funded projects.
Strategic Insight and Research Alignment: Guided support helps faculty members align their research agendas with national security priorities and navigate the defense research landscape.
Collaborative Learning Environment: The cohort model fosters cross-institutional collaboration, peer mentorship, and long-term professional connections across the HSRU Alliance.

How to participate

Faculty interested in joining the ASCEND^R Leadership Program must apply through the ASCEND^R Research Program proposal process. Selection for ASCEND^R Research seed grants includes automatic enrollment in the leadership cohort.

Participation in the leadership program is a required component of the ASCEND^R Research Program. Faculty must commit to the entire year-long experience, including virtual sessions, in-person engagements, and ongoing research integration activities.

To learn more about eligibility, application deadlines, and proposal requirements, visit the ASCEND^R Research Program.

Contact us

Have questions about this program or want to explore collaboration opportunities? Contact us at hsru@utep.edu.